You’ve sung them in church, at school, or with friends and family, but do you know the stories behind some of the best-known Christmas carols? Find out at Hever. Walk through the castle, which is adorned with beautiful decorations and discover the ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’ trail. Tickets: contact venue, 01732 865224

Make Christmas extra special by visiting Santa in Bluewater’s Grotto. Treat your littl’uns to a wonderful and magical experience, plus, they’ll also be given a fantastic present. Tickets: From £10.00 (per child), 01322 475475

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Christmas Concert, St Mary’s Church, Chiddingstone (2nd December)

Enjoy a programme of glorious music for Advent and Christmas sung by the Quorum Chamber Choir, and conducted by Adrian Goss. Programme includes motets by Duruflė and Stanford, and a selection of Christmas delights. Tickets: £10, 01892 535416

Father Christmas and his friendly elves will be welcoming families who are visiting the picturesque Calverley Grounds Ice Rink throughout the festive season. Pre-booking is essential. Tickets: £14.50 (per child); £2 (accompanying adults)

Visitors can enjoy plenty of festive entertainment, including joining the elves in their workshop, going on a treasure hunt and running through falling snow. There will also be Gingerbread decorating and a chance to make some Christmas crafts. Families can pre-book to see Father Christmas in his grotto (extra charge applies). Tickets: £12.95 to £44.95; £11.95 (per child, visiting Father Christmas), 01892 861444

Santa will meet youngsters and present gifts to them in his special grotto, helped by his team of elves. In addition, Mrs Claus will be spreading Christmas cheer by inviting children to decorate their very own gingerbread Christmas trees. Tickets: £6.95 to £33.95, 01622 763936

Take a magical steam train journey to meet Santa this Christmas on the railway’s popular Santa Specials. At Tenterden Station the Victorian carousel provides unlimited free rides for the young and young-at-heart alike. There will also be a miniature Christmas model village to stroll round at Tenterden Station. Tickets: £18 to £160, 01580 765155

Journeys start from Eridge station where visitors will be met with festive music and the smell of hot chestnuts and a roaring coal fire in the festively decorated waiting room. Arrive a little earlier for children to have their cheeks painted with either a Christmas tree or snowman before boarding the train. Tickets: £3.50 to £22, 01892 537715

The magnificent rooms at Leeds Castle will be festooned with decorations and pine trees styled around Christmas traditions, past and present. Elsewhere in the Castle you can write your own personal Christmas tradition and hang it on our tree in the Seminar Room for everyone to read. Tickets: £16.90 to £24.90, 01622 765400

Santa’s reindeers will be on hand until Christmas Eve lunchtime, when they will they set off back to the North Pole in time to help Father Christmas with his round-the-world journey. You can meet and take photos with Santa’s reindeer at all three centres. Tickets: Free, 01892 663 822 (Crowborough); 01474 331 135 (Gravesend); 01622 832 299 (Staplehurst)

Visitors will be taken on a magical journey through Kent Life Heritage Park’s beautiful grounds, while being told the story of baby Jesus’ in a living nativity. Traditional carols will be sung during the performance. Tickets: £6.95 (children); £7.95 (adults); £21.95 (family), 01622 763936